New Zealand Market Posts Solid June

New Zealand’s motor industry sees its best month of sales on record in June with the market up 17% year-on-year to 12,519 units.

The Motor Industry Assn. says new passenger-vehicle sales rose 13% for the month to 8,517 units, while commercial-vehicle deliveries jumped 26% to 4,002.

MIA CEO David Crawford says the CV result was phenomenal, not only being the strongest June sales since the organization began collecting data for the sector in 1981, but also the strongest month ever for commercial sales.

SUV deliveries grew to 32% of the market in in June, followed by pickups/chassis-cabs with 22% and small cars at 15%.

“As a reflection of the strong demand for light-commercial vehicles, the two top-selling models for the month of June were light commercials,” Crawford says in a statement.

“A strong New Zealand dollar, competitive pricing and New Zealanders’ confidence the economy is heading in the right direction all combined to help drive sales of new vehicles skywards,” he adds.

Year-to-date sales of passenger vehicles are up 11% to 44,284 units, while first-half CV sales are ahead 21% to 17,862.

Toyota was the overall market leader for the month of June with 20% share (2,555 units), followed by Ford at 11% (1,361) and GM Holden a close third also with 11% (1,344).

Toyota was the June market leader for passenger vehicles with 1,448 units for a 17% share. Holden followed with 960 vehicles and 11% penetration, just ahead of Hyundai with 940 units.

Toyota held a 28% share of the CV segment with 1,107 deliveries, outrunning Ford at 16% (647) and Holden at 10% (384).

The Toyota RAV4 was the top-selling passenger model with 371 units, ahead of the Toyota Corolla (333) and Toyota Highlander (308).

The Toyota Hilux led the CV segment with 847 units, outpacing the Ford Ranger (574) and Holden Colorado (359). Year to date, the Toyota Hilux regained the lead as the top selling CV model with 2,915 units, followed by the Ford Ranger (2,757).